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Queensland’s EY Entrepreneur Of The Year regional finalists announced
EY HAS ANNOUNCED the 17 successful entrepreneurs from Queensland in the running to be named 2016 Australian EY Entrepreneur Of The Year.
They are Peter Harbison of Australian Rig Construction Pty Ltd; Deb Farnworth-Wood of Australian Skin Clinics; Peta Fielding of Burleigh Brewing Company; Wayne Romer of Deswik Group Pty Ltd; Paul Higgins of Dingo; Jordan Grives of Fonebox; Ian Campbell of JUMP! Swim Schools; Roy Wilson of NuGrow ; Paul Costello of Queensland Prestressing Pty Ltd; Adrian Rosatto of Raw Group Management Pty Ltd; Warren Ebert of Sentinel Property Group; Damien Stokes and John Wheeler of Stokes Wheeler; Bruce and Denise Morcombe of The Daniel Morcombe Foundation; Rafael Luna of Universal Communications Group Ltd; and Andrew Coronis of Coronis Group. 
The finalists, from what EY designates as Australia’s Northern Region will join 64 other talented entrepreneurs from across the country nominated for this year’s awards.
EY’s Queensland managing partner, Paul Laxon, said this year’s Northern Region finalists brought together a unique mix of entrepreneurs ranging from construction and real estate, through to not-for-profit, skin clinics and swim schools.
“I’m delighted that we have such an impressive display of entrepreneurial talent in Queensland this year,” Mr Laxon said.
“These entrepreneurs and their organisations are inspiring others by creating new jobs, driving innovation and productivity, and importantly, driving our local, and national economy forward. 
“It’s now well understood that entrepreneurship drives innovation, job creation and economic growth, and it’s clear Australia is fast becoming a hub for the entrepreneurial spirit.”
Mr Laxon said the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards were a highlight of the year for EY, its alumni and Queensland, and a chance to celebrate the entrepreneurial talent in the state, while helping to grow and nurture the entrepreneur community.
“Bringing these entrepreneurs together is also about challenging their own thinking and helping them build relationships to create an even stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem in Australia,” Mr Laxon said.
“Each finalist should feel proud to be taking part in the Entrepreneur Of The Year program. It’s a significant milestone and we wish all of this year’s regional finalists the best of luck.”
Mr Laxon said EY had been celebrating, advising, guiding, recognising and connecting the best entrepreneurs for more than 30 years, not only through the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Program but through the firm’s Global Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and looked forward to a fantastic year ahead for Australia’s entrepreneurs. 
Commonwealth Bank Queensland general manager for Corporate Financial Services, Mark Toon, said entrepreneurs play a critical role in the local economy.
“Queensland continues to be a strong breeding ground for entrepreneurial talent as shown by the high calibre of the 2016 Northern Region finalists,” Mr Toon said. “It’s really encouraging to see our local entrepreneurs thriving as they give the broader community a boost through new ideas and job creation.
“At the Commonwealth Bank, innovation is part of our DNA and we are honoured to be associated with some of Australia’s top business innovators, who continue to inspire and motivate those around them.”
The finalists will go on to compete at a national level in Sydney in October. The overall Australian winner will then continue on in the global program, travelling to Monte Carlo in June 2017 to compete for title of EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year.
The finalists will be assessed by a panel of independent judges, including previous Entrepreneur Of The Year award winners and other successful Australian business leaders across six core criteria: entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, personal integrity and influence, financial performance, strategic direction, and national and global impact.
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Northern Region finalists
• Peter Harbison – Australian Rig Construction Pty Ltd.
• Deb Farnworth-Wood - Australian Skin Clinics.
• Peta Fielding - Burleigh Brewing Company.
• Wayne Romer – Deswik Group Pty Ltd.
• Paul Higgins – Dingo.
• Jordan Grives – Fonebox.
• Ian Campbell - JUMP! Swim Schools.
• Roy Wilson - NuGrow .
• Paul Costello - Queensland Prestressing Pty Ltd.
• Adrian Rosatto - Raw Group Management Pty Ltd.
• Warren Ebert - Sentinel Property Group.
• Damien Stokes and John Wheeler - Stokes Wheeler.
• Bruce and Denise Morcombe - The Daniel Morcombe Foundation.
• Rafael Luna - Universal Communications Group Ltd.
• Andrew Coronis – Coronis Group.
About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and recognises the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognising them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries.
The Australian Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program, launched in 2001, is conducted in five regions culminating in the national awards. The program honours entrepreneurs whose ingenuity and perseverance have created and sustained successful, growing business ventures. Entrepreneur Of The Year’s primary objective is to identify, acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding contribution entrepreneurs make to the Australian business community and economy.
The Australian Entrepreneur Of The Year program now has alumni of over 1,400 entrepreneurs who have participated in the program. Since the program’s inception more than 15,000 people have attended Entrepreneur Of The Year events and award ceremonies in Australia.
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